Kamiakin Girls Ready for State

KENNEWICK, Wash. - During the regular season, Kamiakin went just 6-6 in league play, 9-11 overall. Not exactly stellar. However, none of that seems to matter right now. The Braves have heated up and played their way into this week's 3A state tournament in Seattle. The Braves reeled off nine straight wins, taking both the District and Regional titles on their way to the school's fist trip to state since 1999.They open Wednesday night against Enumclaw at Bank of America Arena. The competition will be fierce, but the Braves believe there may be magic in the air."At the rate we've been playing, we haven't even started to peak yet, said senior Stacey Smith. "We've done great. We started out rocky, and we don't know what we can do. I guess we'll find out.""Having a nine game winning streak, they are flying high on a kite," said coach Tammy Hutchison. "They are ready to go this coming week."They aren't worried about their mediocre record in the regular season."We're the underdogs, "said Scarlett Mathews. "We're starting to show what we can play like and what we are. We have the talent, we have the support of everyone on the team."The teams leaves Tuesday afternoon, and the girls are excited for the big-time treatment."Walking on the UW court and everything will be pretty exciting," said Mathews. "It will all kind of hit when we get in the suburban and start heading up there.""As a senior, it's an amazing experience you'll remember this the erst of your life," said Smith.